Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC were well worth the wait says Lucas Neill
LUCAS NEILL will work overtime to give David Moyes a selection dilemma after admitting he has fallen on his feet by securing a move to Everton.
The Australian international trained with his new team-mates for the first time at Finch Farm but, given that he has not played a competitive game since June 18, will not be considered to make an instant debut against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.
Neill is in reasonable shape, thanks to a programme he has followed through the summer by Australia’s fitness coach Darren Burgess, but is not yet at the level required to be a regular for the Blues.
However, Neill – who put pen-to-paper a one-year contract on Thursday night – is determined to get himself up to speed, to repay his new manager for the opportunity he has been afforded.
He was wanted by a number of clubs, notably Atletico Madrid, Sunderland, Blackburn and Olympiakos, but Neill believes his decision to sit tight until after the transfer window closed has been handsomely rewarded.
“There was a lot of interest and weighing up to do but I just got that gut feeling and believed Everton was worth the wait,” said the man who has taken possession of the number 23 jersey.
“I was in a privileged position where I didn’t have to worry about the window. As a result of that its worked our really well. It was worth the wait and I’m really excited.
“Atletico Madrid’s interest was genuine but as you can see they have a lot of problems there and perhaps the timing wasn’t right.
